Klf10 and Klf11 as mediators of TGF-beta superfamily signaling.

Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Molecular Embryology, Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Albertstrasse 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. bjoern.spittau@anat.uni-freiburg.de

Cell and tissue research 2012 Jan

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Klf10 and Klf11 belong to the family of Sp1/Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factors that play important roles in a variety of cell types and tissues. Although Klf10 and Klf11 were initially introduced as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-inducible genes, several studies have described their upregulation by a plethora of growth factors, cytokines and hormones. Here, we review the current knowledge of the inductive cues for Klf10 and Klf11 and focus on their transcriptional regulation by members of the TGF-beta superfamily. We further summarize their involvement in the regulation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway and discuss their possible role as molecules mediating crosstalk between various signaling pathways. Finally, we provide an overview of the pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative functions of Klf10 and Klf11.